Suspension device for equalizing the strain on elevator cables



Aug'. 18, 1925.

- J. E. EVANS Y sUsPEnsIoN DEVICE Foa EQuALmNG'ITHE STRAIN oN ELEvAToR CABLES 5 sheets-sheet 1 QZ Filed Aug.15, 1925 Ill] l ,44|

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Zag? Z ZEW Aug. 1s, 1925. 1,550,353

, J, E.. EVANS SUSPENSION DEVICE FUR EQUALIZIING THE STRAIN 0N ELEVATOR CABLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @y may; Mw

Au'g. 18, 1925. 1,550,353

J. E. EVANS SUSPNSI'ON DEVICE FOR EQUALIZING THE STRAIN ON ELEVTOR CABLES Filed AUE- 13. 1923 5 Sheets-Sheefc 5 PatentedY Aug. 18, 1925,

BEDFORD, INDIANA, AssIGNoR or ONE-FOURTH 'ro CHARLES s.v 1 KNIGHT, orf-CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. l .i z

JosErH n. EVANS, or

SUSPENSION DEVICE FOR- EQALIZING THE STRAIN 0N ELEVATOR CABLES.

Application filed August 13, 1923. serial 'No.eszcasf To all fio/mm it may concern.'

Be it knownthat I, Josemi E. EVANS, a citizen 'of/the `Unfited States,"residing in Bedford, county of Lawrence, and State of Indiana,jhave" invented" certainnew 'and usen ful improvements vin Suspension Devices fori'Equalizing' "the Strain on Elevator Cables, of which the following isa speci# icatiom! 'Myinvention relates to improvements in devices for equalizing: the vstranon' cables usedzfor hoisting and lowering elevator cars in' common use for transferring` passengers andjfreight 4from one-'floor of a building to' another, especially high buildings where the lift-is of considerable height. My present inventibnrelates to devices ofthe 'ge eral-type described in"y Patent No. 1,442,060 granted tome onJanu'ary 16, 1923, andthe general purposeV of invinv'enti-on isfto perfeet' and improveV the equalizfingidevice thereL in shown.v One object VofJmy'invention is to simplify and 'strengthen the construction bythe use of unitary giidfefand safeguard plate instead'ogf a pliiralityof` members emplo'yed for that'purpose.'v Another Objectis toprovidef, an arrangement and construction of parts" through "which the device is adapted to' "be employed witlran odd number.' of cables. lAnother object ist-he provisionof defiector 'means by .means 'of' which 4thetvvo cables at opposite'endsfof an equalizer bar are" prevented fromspreading, thus enabling theh Vdevicefto be u's'ed in situationslwhere y the suspension cables pass throughl small openings in' the motor frame -or Aa floor-which would votherwise interfere witli".tlie"'oper ation of ,the device. y-Other pbjectsrelate to improvements in the manner in which the trunnion' blocks are` mounted in the equlizer `vbars, and the manner `of "cloni necting the'ends ofthe suspension cables to the trunnion blocks in the equalizer bars. lith these andV incidental vobj ects` and advantages in Vthe' construction and arrangement of parts in view,"f] have devised invented the improved suspension device hereafter described in detail, fmyVV linvention, residing in 'the novelli construction Vand arrangement of parts 4and combination lof cooperating members which I have devised for the ends in View, theessential'elements of my invention being more particularly pointed outin theappended claims. v A `v "In theaocompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a side elevation, on a small scale, showing portions of an elevator apparatus of a com# mon'type' to which' my invention is. shown f applied; Fig. 2 is a side view -of the equalizing 'devicea-lone, on a larger'scale; Fig. 3 is a `detail section showing the manner of attaching the suspension cablesto the equalizer bars, on a plane indicated by the dotted lines 3 3 of Fig. 2, Figs. 4: and 5 are respectively a topolan viewy and a perspective of the ldevice;lll`ig. 6 is a plan view of the'lower frame plate, `detached;I Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating l the relationship of the equalizing cable and suspension cables and the connection upper and lower sheaves, developed in afsingle plane; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a modined form of my inventionapplied -to an elevator vcar suspended vby anl n even number of cables F ig. 9 is a detail showing a modified ,manner of connecting the suspension cables tothe equalizeribarsand Fig.10 is a vview illustrating a modified form of deflector for .preventing spread of the suspension cables." f L l yf, Y The same reference characters indicate the saine parts inall the figures of the drawing.v It will be understood that as inthe'caseof the equalizingdevice describedl in my issued S patent above referred to, mypre'sent vinvention is intended to be appliedto equalize'the strainbetiveen the separate cables of a group of Cables employed to suspend an velevator car and arranged to all run over a suspension drum for pulley at ther-top' ofthe elevator shaft, see F ig. l. An even number of cables, frequentlyl siX in number, is commonly emp'loyed for the purpose, and the equalizing device vof 'my patent before mentioned. is intended to be applied to suchfaninstallation, but it frequentlyl occurs that an odd n number of cables, for instance three, live, or seven, is used.' In Figs. ly to 5, inclusive, I have shown my invention applied tofthe suspension of a car by an uneveny number of cables, live in vthe particular instance, and in F ig. 7 haveillustrated diagram-v matically vtherelationship of the equalizing members.

My equalizing device is designed to kbe secured to the elevatoncark throughytwo properlyl spaced bars l--lf whichv structurally form apart lof thecar and may be either an integral portion of the car frame,

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",ournals o the lower sheaves G and Ga and lso formed with at least one slot to the end o1c the equalizing cable 7, as

O in G, and may be prot is a eceive ioated at o ded on the opposite side also with a similar t 8'", as illustrated, whereby the same form n ate. may be used Yfor installing an equaliie nor either live or sii: cables, as hereinafter eaplained.

rlhe upper plate is oit the hollow and curved form shown in the drawings, having base 'flanges 9 adapted to bear on the top faces et the bars 1, and an archedupper portion provided with external strengthening ribs 10 and 1()a and bearing shoulders 11, and is formed With opposite side openings 12 arranged to receive the equalizer bars hereinafter mentioned. As shown the top may be provided with openings 13 for observation purposes, and-extending from near the center line of the plate the outer rib marked 10'v1 is branched around an opening 1l provided to receive one end of the equalizing cable 7. The branches of the rib are oriticed toreceive the journal of a. guide pulley 15 engaged by the equalizing cable. The shoulders 11 and base flanges 9 are provided with aligned openings to receive the connecting bolts 4:.

The upper sheaves 16 and 16a are each journaled centrally between a pair of equalizer bars 17 which at their opposite ends are connected to a pair of adjacent oppositely spread suspension 'cables (marked A and A) and function in unison as a single bar. These bars and sheaves are set in parallel planes slightly oblique to a vert-ical plane passing through the periphery of the suspension pulley so that. the oppositely spread suspension cables will all track from the ends of the equalizer bars correctly into: the grooves of the suspension pulley. The lower sheaves are oppositely inclined so that the equalizing cable, which is anchored at one end of the car may track in succession in a staggered or zig-zag path over the upper sheave 16, under the lower sheave 6, over the npp er sheave 16, under the lower sheave 6, and thence to the guide pulley 15, above which it is secured to the outermost suspension cable (marked A) at that side of the group of suspension cables. The anchored end of the equalizing cable is secured to a socket block 7 below the lower plate and having a flared end within which the strands oli' the cable are spread'and the space filled with Babbitt metal.

For the purpose of conveniently and securely connecting the suspension cables to the ends of the equalizer bars I have provided novel connecting means, best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, by reference to which it will be seen that the ends of each tcable are secured (by Babbitt metal) toa socket piece 17, above which, loosely surrounding the cable, is arranged a loose externally threaded sleeve 18. The sleeve passes loosely through a block 19 provided with trunnions 2O arranged to be received in aligned downwardly opening bearing slots 21 at each end oi: the pair of equalizer bars. lVashers 22 and cotter pins 23 and a small set screw 22 passing through the washer 22 and engaging a threaded seat in the equalizer bar are provided to maintain the parts of this pivot bearing in assembled relation. Bearing against the lower-lace of the trunnion block is a pair of nuts 2l engaging the sleeve 18, which nuts carry the load on the connected cables and provide for adjustment so that the equalizer bars may all be brought to horizontal position at a selected point for adjusting the device, preferably midway of the path of the car.

In Figure 9 I have illustrated another form of connection consisting of a small pulley 25 rotating on a shouldered pivot bolt 26 seated in the slots 21 of the equalizer bars, the suspension cable being lopped around the pulley and its free end clamped to the portion leading to the suspensio pulley. Y

For the purpose of reducing the spread of the opposite suspension cables attached to a pair of equalizer bars I have provided a deflector consisting of a pair of plates 27-27 separated by spacing blocks 27h and rigidly secured to the upper end of a flat tie-bar 28 which at its lower end is secured by a pivot bolt to the center of the corresponding strengthening rib of the plate 3, and a pair of rollers 29-29 which respectively engage the two cables of the pair.

In Fig. l() I have illustrated a modilied form of dellecting means for restraining spread of the suspension cable-s, consisting of a pair of matched clamping plates 30-30a arranged to be clamped together upon a cable at one end and oriliced to receive clamping bolts by which it is secured to such cable a short distance above the top of the suspension device. The clamping `plates extend laterally to provide a bearing for a shouldered pivot bolt 31 at the other end of the dellector, and on this pivot bolt is rotatably mounted a small idler sheave 32 which engages the suspension cable at that end, or side, ol' the device.

, In Figure 8`(and.also1Fig. v6) I have illustra'ted"l lmy invention as' applied to an even number ofcables,six in the vparticular instance: In this` case .the outer ribs areall alike, the opening 14 andbranches of the rib marked l()iaL in describing the fornrfrst' above imentioned being omitted. In this AAcase, also', the' equaliziig cable, marked 7b, is anchored at both ends to the loyver plate, `the two ends of the cable passing respectively throughthe slots` S Aand 8a ofthe plate and both .being provided with socket .blocks 7@l engaging the lower face of the}plate,adjacent the slots.

y.As Will be seen by examination of the diagrammatic view marked 44F ig. 7,` the strain upon each reach of .theequalizing cables must be equal, as vvelll as the strain communicated t the .several suspension cables, in the form of my inveiitionappliedv to agroup'of an odd number of cables, While in the form of my present invention as'applied to aneven number of cables, the strain reactions? are the same as` in the equalizer described in my prior patent.

I claim: Y.

,1. A suspension device for connecting an elevator ca'r .to an uneven number of sus-l pensin cablescoinprising; a plurality of sheavespivotally connected with all of said cables excepting one in pairs and a like plurality of sheaves pivotally secured to the car, and an equalizing cable anchored at one end to the car and connected at the other end to said excepted one of the suspension cables and engaging said first-mentioned sheaves and said second-mentioned sheaves in alternation.

2. A suspension device for connecting an elevator car to an uneven number of suspension cables comprising a pluralityof sheaves pivotally connected with all of said cables excepting one in pairs and arranged side by side in parallel planes, and a like plurality of sheaves pivotally secured to the car and arranged side by side also in parallel planes, and an equalizing cable anchored at one end to the car and connected at the other end to said excepted one of the suspension cables and engaging said firstmentioned sheaves and said second-mentioned sheaves in alternation.

3. A suspension device for connecting an elevator car to an uneven number of suspension cables comprising a plurality of sheaves pivotally connected with all of said cables excepting one in pairs and arranged side by side in parallel planes, and a like plurality of sheaves pivotally secured to the car and arranged side by side also in parallel planes, and an equalizing cable anchored at one end to the car and connected at the other end to said excepted one of the suspension cables and engaging said first-mentioned sheaves and said secondvmentioned bars, respectively connected Vat their opposite ends with all of safidfsuspension cables exceptingone '1n pairs, a corresponding set of sheaves respectively Journaled centrally in said bars, a second set of sheaves pivotally secured to the car, and an eiqualizing cable anchored at one endI to the car and at the other end connected tos said excepted one of; the suspension cables and engaging saidv first-mentioned and said second-ment'ionedsheaves in alternation. l

.5. suspension device for connecting an elevator carto an uneven number. of suspension cables comprisinga set ofloscillatory equalizing members respectively oppositely connected With all of said suspension cables excepting one in pairs, a correspond.- ing set of sheaves pivotally connected With said oscillatory members,.a second set' otr sheaves pivotally secured tothe car,` and an equalizing cable anchored at one end" t'o the car and at the other end connected` to said exceptedv one of the suspension' cables andk engaging said first-mentioned and said secl ond-mentioned sheaves in alternation.

6. In a suspension device for connecting an elevator car to a plurality of suspension cables and having a set of equalizer bars oppositely connected to pairs of said cables, means for restraining the spread of the cables of a pair comprising a dei'lector device connected With said suspension device a short distance thereabove and engaging both cables of the pair.

7. In a suspension device for connecting an elevator car to a plurality of suspension cables and having a set of equalizer bars oppositely connected to vpairs of said cables, means for restraining the spread of the cables of a pair comprising a deliector device connected vvith said suspension device a short distance thereabove and engaging both cables of the pair, said deflector device including at least one idler sheave engaging one of said'cables.

8. In a suspension device for connecting an elevator car to a plurality of suspension cables and having a set of equalizer bars oppositely connected to pairs of said cables, means for restraining the spread of the cables of a pair comprising a tie bar anchored to the suspension device, a frame secured to the upper end of said tie bar, and a pair of rollers rotatably mounted in said frame and respectively engaging the cables of the pair.

9. In a suspension device for connecting an elevator car to a plurality of suspension llO cables and having a set of equalizer bars connected each at its opposite ends to a pair of equalizer cable-s, aguide and safety plate consisting of an integral metal casting arranged to be secured to the car and having side openings arranged to receive and guide said bars. f y

l0. In a suspension device according to claim 9, a guide and safety plate according to said claim having an arched top and parallel sides and opposite base portions arranged to seat upon structural members of the elevator car.

1l. A suspension device of the character described having a frame consisting of an integral laterally-oriliced upper plate and a lower plate arranged to bear respectively against the upper and lower faces of spaced structural members of the elevator car, and connecting bolts passing between such members and arranged to clamp said plates thereto.

12. In a suspension device of the character described and including pairs of equalizer bars and suspension cables, means for pivotally connecting a cable. to the end of a pair of bars comprising a socket piece secured to said cable, an exteriorly threaded tube loosely engaging said cable and abutting against said socket piece, a block pivotally mounted between said pair of bars and having an orifice loosely engaging said threaded tube, and an adjusting nut engaging said tube below said block and arranged to bear against the lower face thereof.

13. In a suspension device othe character described and including pairs ot equalizer bars and suspension cables, the ends of the bars being formed with downwardlyopening slots adjacent their ends, means for securing a suspension cable to a pair of bars comprising a cross pivot member arranged to engage said slots and connected to said cable between said bars, a washer on said pivot member outside its adjacent bar, and a. set screw passing through said washer and seated in such bar.

l-t. In a suspension device of the character described and including pairs orp equalizer bars and suspensions cables, the ends of the. bars being vformed with downwardlyopening slots adjacent their ends, means for securing a suspension cable to a pair of bars comprising a cross pivot member arranged to engage said slots and connected to said cables between said bars, and means for restraining said pivot member against displacement from said slots.

JOSEPH E. EVANS. 

